Introducing pullets to hens

[ErikaRI]

Hi all, I have 3 3-yr-old hens, and 3 pullets (about 8 weeks). Probably doesn't matter, but the hens are a silver-laced Wyandotte, a Polish Top Hat, and an Australorp. I can't really tell who's at the top of the pecking order, but the Wyandotte is the best layer (the Australorp is the largest but never lays eggs.)

The pullets (a Buckeye, a Barred Rock, and a Buff Brahma) have been outside in a separate coop with a temporary pen for about 3 weeks, so that the hens could get used to them. Seemed fine--they all seemed interested in each other but the hens didn't seem threatened and have even stuck their heads through the wire to drink the water that's right there.

Today I opened up the pen so that the pullets could go outside or the hens could go in. The pullets didn't really try to leave, but the hens did walk in and strut around (like playground bullies, tbh). And then...the Wyandotte pecked at the Buckeye s a couple of times, stopped, went off to do some other things, and then came back and started to chase her.

So I kicked the hens out, but am hoping that this is temporary. The pullets are in a small coop that frankly is falling apart, plus it's illegal to have more than one coop, so they really do need to eventually all be in one...

Anyway, advice? Do I just need to be patient and continue doing supervised visitations? Swap coops for a while?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How big is your run space and how much junk do you have in it to provide hiding spaces for the younger birds? If there's a decent amount of hiding spots, I'd let them sort things out themselves. Very normal for hens to chase and peck newcomers, and it's not something you should step in on unless birds are being injured or stopped from eating/drinking.